THE SMALL-POX SCOURGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1489, 19 January 1882, Page 3

THE SMALL-POX SCOURGE.

Dr. Bernakd, according to the British Medical Journal, reports that a total of 402 patients were admitted during the year 1880 to the Small-pox Hospital at Stockwell, 387 suffering from small-pox and 15 from other diseases. Fifty-two died, 239 were discharged, and 111 remained under treatment at the end of the year. The mortality was 12.7 per cent. Of 292 vaccinated patients, 19 died, or 6.5 per cent; of 24 patients whose A'accmation was very doubtful 8 died, or 33.3 per cent; ami of 86 unvaccinated patients 25 died, or 29 per cent. Dr Bernard also gives a table (showing the state as regards vaccination of the ten years old .who were admitted as patients) which indicated very strongly the protection afforded by vaccination. Of children showing good vaccination scara on their arms 107 were admitted, with • only three deaths ; of those with imperfect scars 127 were admitted, with 16 deaths ; of those said to be vaccinated, 23 were admitted, with 8 deaths ; whilst of 86 unvaccinated there were 23 deaths. Dr Bernard says that his experience at the hospital daily shows him the urgent necessity for more stringent measures being taken concerning compulsory vaccination and compulsory revaccination. He would also like to see compulsory notification and registration of small-pox and other infectious diseases. Adverting to the statements made as to the spread of small-pox from hospitals, Dr. Bernard says that he has evidence which directly proves that these statements are not founded on fact. He admits, however, that it is very probable small -pox hospitals may, directly or indirectly, be the means of propogating the when improperly conducted. Eleven of the patients walked into hospital : a most fertile source of the spread of the disease, which is likely to continue unless offenders are prosecuted. A very large number of visits were paid to • the patients in both hospitals, and Dr. McKellar and Dr. Bernard unite in saying that, so far as they have been able to discover, no case of infection has been caused thereby.